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Gone but not forgotten: proper military funeral for Korean War soldier

Posted: Dec 02 2016 04:28PM MST

Video Posted: Dec 02 2016 06:39PM MST

Updated: Dec 02 2016 06:41PM MST

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Private First Class Daniel Hunt has been gone for over six decades, but on Friday, he was finally given a proper military burial at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

Hunt's family, along with other military service members and one veteran who served alongside him, all paid their final respects, and bid farewell to the fallen soldier.

"With the gift of Daniel Hunt, God breathes new life and new hope into all of us," said Chaplin Major Bradley Walgren. The burial of Hunt came with full military honors, and it was 65 years in the making.

"We learned about Daniel growing up," said Rick Hunt, who is Hunt's nephew. "But we never thought this day would come."

Rick said his family is grateful to the military for constantly searching, never giving up, and finally finding Hunt's remains.

"It's really a celebration for us, this very, very warm welcome from the military from Phoenix," said Rick.

Hunt was killed in action in 1951, during the Korean War. For decades, his family waited for him to come home, and earlier on the week, Hunt finally did.

"On behalf of the Korean people and Korean Government, I send my deepest condolences for the bereaved family of Daniel Hunt," said Lee Key Cheol, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, commonly referred to as South Korea.

Hunt received a number of posthumous honors from the American and South Korean governments. Consulate General Lee named Hunt as an Ambassador of Peace, while the U.S. President awarded Hunt a Purple Heart, for the wounds that he received while fighting that ultimately led to his death.

At the service, a Prisoner of War from the Korean War who served in the same division as Hunt, read a poem his wife wrote that is titled "Final Call".

Our flag is folded again and again As it was when we were young The roll is called we honor the name And the rusty old bell is rung

Hunt was found while the South Korean government was searching old battlefields for the remains of their own soldiers. Scientists were able to identify Hunt's remains, using DNA from two of his brothers.